SERIE A ROUND 16
 
23 DECEMBER 2001

ROMA PUNISH CHIEVO BUT INTER STAY TOP

BRESCIA				0-4			JUVENTUS
							Trezeguet 32
							Del Piero 42
							Ferrara 56
							Davids 69

Trezeguet climbed all over Calori to head in Thuram's cross. Yes, Thuram got
forward for like the 3rd time this season. Trezeguet laid a goal on a plate
for Del Piero. Ferrara was credited with the third though it was Brescia defender
who turned the ball past Castelazzi. A superb strike from Davids, from a Del Piero
free kick sealed an emphatic but rare away victory.

Del Piero isn't back to his best he just has an unselfish partner making him
look good. Only Juve's second away victory of the season.

Attendance : 26,000
Assists : Thuram, Trezeguet, Del Piero


MILAN				2-1			VERONA
Ambrosini 58						Cannavaro 70
Contra 94

Abbiati dropped Mutu's free kick but recovered in time to parry Colucci's drive.
Having been denied by the woodwork twice in the first half Milan finally took the
lead from a Rui Costa free kick. Ambrosini, back from a long term injury, with a
powerful header. Ferron made a fantastic save from another Rui Costa free kick.
Mistakes by Jose Mari and Abbiati gave Verona the equaliser. Jose Mari's sliced
clearance fell to Gonnella, he whipped the ball into the box, Mutu weakly volleyed
at goal, Abbiati should have saved and Paolo Cannavaro blasted into an empty net.
Rui Costa went off with what looked like a hamstring injury. Kaladze launched
a long ball into the box, Ferron clashed with one of his defenders and Contra
volleyed into the net.

Ambrosini's return is hugely significant. He could make the difference between
winning a place in the Champions League as opposed to a UEFA Cup spot.
The title is beyond Milan barring a new defence.

Attendance : 40,000
Assist : Rui Costa


PARMA				2-0			FIORENTINA
Bonazzoli 71
Di Vaio 82

Parma took the points in this unlikely relegation battle. Bonazzoli volleyed
the home side into the lead from Junior's cross. Morfeo was sent off for
'elbowing' Bolano. Di Vaio left Torricelli and Ceccarelli for dead with a superb
turn before thrashing the ball into the bottom corner.

Di Vaio's composure in front of goal is out of this World.

Attendance : 17,000
Assists : Junior, Lamouchi
Red Card : Morfeo 72


PERUGIA				2-0			ATALANTA
Bazzani 51, 90

Two outstanding goals by Bazzani lifted Perugia to the heady heights of mid-table.
His first a superb solo effort. He dribbled past three Atalanta players before screwing
the ball into the corner. The second a magnificent 20yd half volley. In between
Atalanta hit the woodwork twice. Saudati headed against the inside of a post and
Pinardi saw his shot come back off the crossbar.

Attendance : 7,200
Assist : Milanese


PIACENZA			2-3			INTER
Gautieri 55, 74						Vieri 45 (Pen), 83
							Kallon 69

Guardalben was sent off for bringing down Ronaldo in the box. Vieri slammed
in the penalty. Lucarelli and Cordoba were sent off for a girly slap fight at the
end of the first half. Gautieri intercepted Sorondo's hospital pass and placed a
shot inside the post. Ronaldo went off with a hamstring injury fortunately for
Inter their top striker came off the bench and put them back into the lead.
Vieri helped on Guly's cross and Kallon headed low into the net. Piacenza drew
level following another mistake by Sorondo. Matuzalem sent his slack pass
straight to Gautieri and he squeezed the ball into the corner despite the best
efforts of Vivas. Cuper urged Inter forward and they were rewarded with a
winner. Guly slid a ball into Vieri, he turned Maltagliati and drilled the ball into
the bottom corner.

Attendance : 18,000
Assists : Ronaldo, Vieri, Guly, Matuzalem
Red Cards : Guardalben 44 (Piacenza), Lucarelli 46 (Piacenza), Cordoba 46 (Inter)


TORINO				1-2			VENEZIA
Comotto 64						Maniero 14, 92

Bressan's cross hit the back of Comotto's heels and Maniero tapped in. Marasco
did a spot of ball juggling in his own box. Comotto stole the ball off him, he
retaliated, penalty. Rossi made a fantastic save from Ferrante's spot kick. Rossi
came out for a corner, got nowhere near the ball and Comotto headed into an
empty net. Deep into injury time Maniero met Bettarini's cross with a powerful
header and Bucci spilled the ball into his own net.

Venezia's second win in their last three games but they're seven points from
safety. Unless Recoba arrives on loan they're doomed.

Attendance : 14,000
Assists : Maspero, Bettarini


UDINESE			0-1			LECCE
							Giacomazzi 1

Giacomazzi converted Chevanton's cross. Both teams hit the post.

Attendance : 14,000
Assist : Chevanton


22 DECEMBER 2001

CHIEVO				0-3			ROMA
							Emerson 27
							Samuel 76
							Tommasi 93

Chievo's trademark rapid start seemed to annoy the reigning Champions and they
responded in style. Emerson headed in the opener from a corner having earlier
been denied by a superb save from ex Roma 'keeper Lupatelli. Lupatelli made
another great save, this time a Candela free kick late in the second half.

Antonioli was sent off for bringing down Marrazina outside the box though
the Chievo striker certainly made a meal of it. Pelizzoli saved the resulting
free kick then pulled off the save of the season. A magnificent one handed
effort to deny Marrazina. Hesitancy by Lupatelli from a corner allowed Samuel
a cheap second. Tommasi capped off a Championship quality performance
by breaking Chievo offside trap, thanks to a magnificent through pass from Totti,
and slamming the ball past Lupatelli.

It's between Roma and Inter.

Attendance : 16,767
Assists : Cafu, Tommasi, Totti


LAZIO				2-2			BOLOGNA
Lopez 19, 34						Cruz 41
							Zaccardo 76

Liverani and the much improved Stankovic combined to give Lopez his first.
A superb second for Lazio on the counter attack. Crespo broke down the right
wing, came inside the box and destroyed a defender with a dummy before
passing to Poborsky. His shot was charged down by Pagliuca, Lopez latched
onto the loose ball and with an outstanding first touch sent Pagliuca sprawling
before poking the ball inside the post. It must be Christmas because Cruz
scored and it was a brilliant goal. Tarantino chipped the ball into the box,
Cruz waited for it to drop over his shoulder before thrashing a left volley
into the bottom corner. Zauli almost snapped the crossbar in half with a
ridiculously powerful shot, the ball was eventually played back into the
box by Gamberini and Zaccardo headed Bologna level.

Attendance : 35,000
Assists : Stankovic, Tarantino, Gamberini

R Mehdi