15 November 1998

A day of dodgy penalties, hat-tricks and shock results. Whining by Inter fans last
week was rewarded with two penalties in a 3-0 victory over Sampdoria.  Juve post
Del Piero were defeated 2-0 by Roma, Parma finally found their goalscoring touch
and there were defeats for Lazio and Fiorentina.


EMPOLI				2-1			CAGLIARI
Di Napoli 22 (Pen),  63					Muzzi 94

Dive by Tonetto penalty by Di Napoli. Both players also linked up for Empoli's
second a tap-in from close range after Cagliari made a balls up of the offside trap.
Muzzi helped himself to another goal with a great strike on the turn.

Attendance : 12,053


INTER				3-0			SAMPDORIA
Djorkaeff 6, 17 (Pens)
Zamorano 79

Dives by Ventola and Zanetti were rewarded with penalties both converted by
Djorkaeff. At least Zanetti could claim there was contact albeit very little.
Samp had a goal disallowed for handball. Zamorano headed in Djorkaeff's free
kick. Baggio returned to the team and did his usual party pieces.

Attendance : 60,000


PARMA				4-1			UDINESE
Crespo 3, 36, 65 (Pen)					Amoroso 35
Stanic 86

Chiesa and Crespo linked up again, Chiesa with the cross, Crespo with the flick
finish. Amoroso poked in Jorgensen's cross. Dino Baggio headed accross goal and
Crespo headed into the net. Crespo won a penalty for attempting a diving header
and not making contact with the ball, don't ask. He completed  his hat-trick,
I believe his second in Serie A from the spot. Stanic tapped  in Veron's free kick.

Attendance : 25,000


PIACENZA			4-2			FIORENTINA
Rastelli 12						Rui Costa 23 (Pen)
Inzaghi 29 (Pen)						Edmundo 40 (Pen)
Cristallini 58
Piovani 94

Fiorentina carved out three decent chances in the first few minutes before
Rastelli gave Piacenza the lead thanks to brilliant play by Stroppa and Inzaghi.
Manighetti handled in the box, totally undeliberate, the ref awarded a penalty
and Rui Costa scored. Inzaghi took dive in the box and converted the resulting
penalty. Another dodgy penalty followed, Heinrich seemed to loose his balance
when attempting a scissor kick. Edmundo converted. Stroppa found himself
surrounded by two Fiorentina players close to the touchline he ran forward,
spun around and sent a cross into the box, Cristallini with a bullet header.
Cristallini set-up Piovani for Piacenza's fourth. Credit to Piacenza for taking
the 3 points despite the best efforts of the ref to hand Fiorentina the victory
on a plate. Stroppa had one of those magical games. Over the years he has
shown World Class ability but lacks consistency.

Red Card(s) : Dionigi 89
Attendance : 16,000


ROMA				2-0			JUVENTUS
Paulo Sergio 44
Candela 87

The Italian media had a field day with this one, playing up on Zeman's accusations
of drug abuse. Two goals at the end of each half gave Roma the victory. Totti's
quickly taken free kick caught Juve's defence cold and Paulo Sergio poked the ball
past Peruzzi. Candela abused Serie B defender Birindelli on the left wing, charged
into the box and lifted the ball over  Peruzzi from a tight angle. Chimenti pulled
off some stunning saves on the rare occasions he was tested. Juve were spared a
heavy defeat thanks to Roma screwing up the final ball on several occasions.
Roma's pressing was outstanding. 

Red Card(s) : Montero 59 (Juventus)
Attendance : 72,037


SALERNITANA			2-0			PERUGIA
Di Vaio 56, 91

Nakata struck the crossbar. Perugia had a goal disallowed. Michele inadvertently
overhead kicked the ball to Di Vaio he killed the ball with his right, cut inside a
defender and screwed the ball in with his left. Beautiful goal. Thanks to awful
defending Michele found himself with tons of space near goal and crossed for
Di Vaio to notch up his second.

Attendance : 30,000


VENEZIA				2-0			LAZIO
Tuta 5
Pedone 39

Venezia went at Lazio from the start, Marchegiani denying Valtolina and Pedone
with great double saves. Midget Iachini's back header found Tuta unmarked in the
box and he beat Marchegiani at the far post. Pedone put Venezia 2-0 up thanks to
a fabulous disguised pass from Valtolina. Couto was sent off for a wild two footed
lunge. The scoreline flattered Lazio they were pathetic. Despite spending
£70 million without Mihajlovic's free kick's and the inspirational play of Nedved
they really suck. Venezia's first league win. Okon came on as a sub.

Red Card(s) : Couto 61 (Lazio)
Attendance : 15,000


VICENZA				0-4			BOLOGNA
							Signori 33 (Pen),
							74, 77
							Kolyvanov 89


Signori scored a trademark penalty with a trademark dive. Belotti was sent off for
two bookable offences, the first a two footed tackle, the second an elbow to
Signori's face. Dirty Giueseppe scored from the free kick and completed his
hat-trick with a superb first time strike from Fontolan's cross. Fontolan also
turned provider for Kolyvanov. Vicenza missed loads of first half chances. Signori
has been one of the best strikers in Serie A this decade, shame he is such a
cheating little bastard.

Red Card(s) : Belotti 72 (Vicenza)
Attendance : 15,800


BARI				0-0			MILAN

Milan completely dominated the match, created chance after chance but were
denied by poor finishing and inspired goalkeeping. Rossi was forced to make two
saves all match. Easily Milan's best performance of the season to date.

Attendance : 40,000