JUVE MOVE INTO SECOND PLACE

3 FEBRUARY 2002

LAZIO				1-1			MILAN
Stankovic 21						Shevchenko 93

Stankovic played a huge one-two with Lopez, took a couple of steps forward and
unleashed a 30yd drive into the top corner. Fantastic goal. Javi Moreno ripped
open Couto's face when challenging for a high ball. THE worst facial injury I've
ever seen in a football mat ch. Stankovic missed an open goal after great work by
Lopez and the Argentineanblew two more guilt edged chances. Couto was sent
off for a late foul on another of Milan's expensive flops -  Pirlo. Kutozov even
managed to get a game as Ancelotti throw everyone forward. Deep into injury
time Kaladze headed Serginho's corner against the back of Shevchenko's head,
the ball spun goal wards and the unfortunate ex-donkey Stankovic helped the ball
into his own net.

Claudio Lopez has to be the worst finisher I have ever seen taking into account
he has excellent technique. In front of goal though you could be forgiven you're
watching Emile Heskey (if you completely ignore the size and the colour).
A shocking first touch, zero composure and he trips over his own feet. If he didn't
have pace he'd be useless. Stankovic on the other hand is by far the most
improved player in Serie A this season.

Attendance : 40,000
Assist : Lopez
Red Card : Couto 77 (Milan)


BOLOGNA			1-1			VENEZIA
Bellucci 59						Maniero 23

Maniero ran into the box and from a standing position powerfully headed
Valtolina's cross into the net. Another journeyman striker, Bellucci, equalised
he rose unchallenged to head in Tarantino's corner.

Venezia are trying hard but they're down and out. If they started the first half of
the season as they did the first they wouldn't be struggling.

Attendance : 17,500
Assists : Valtolina, Tarantino


BRESCIA				1-4			PARMA
Toni 68							Micoud 5
							Sukur 7
							Di Vaio 19, 94

Sloppy defending allowed Micoud to attack Sukur's cross and despite getting poor
contact with the ball Castelazzi somehow managed to let the ball squirm under
him. Di Vaio dropped a diagonal ball to Sukur and an outstanding first touch and
quick shot gave Parma their second. Di Vaio got in on the act with a typical classy
finish, a perfectly struck half volley from a tight angle. The ref dreamed up a
penalty when Frey claimed the ball and Toni fell over him. Frey made a brilliant
save but Toni put away the rebound. Without Baggio there was no way back from
goals down. Deep into injury time Di Vaio rounded Castelazzi and tapped into an
empty net.

Attendance : 20,000
Assists : Sukur, Di Vaio, Lamouchi, Diana


FIORENTINA			2-2			ROMA
Morfeo 17						Cassano 54
Adriano 18						Emerson 75

Capello gave old man Aldair a rare start and he didn't disappoint by marinating
his usual high standards of sucking hard. He failed attempting to cut out a simple
pass from Amoroso, Samuel couldn't get goal side of Morfeo, 0-1. Adriano stunned
the champions with 35yd free kick. Incredible shot. If you thought the points were
in the bag you were wrong. Cassano capitalised on shameful marking by Pierini
for Roma's first. Emerson equalised with another header, this time from Candela's
free kick. Morfeo wasted a glorious chance in injury time when he volleyed against
the post from close range.

If the prospect of facing one Christian Vieri was bad enough how about two?
Adriano is the Brazilian version. He's not quite the finisher Bobo is but he has
more pace and worryingly for defenders and 'keepers everywhere an even more
explosive shot. This kid is going right to the top.

Attendance : 30,000
Assist : Amoroso, Nuno Gomes, Fuser, Candela


JUVENTUS			3-0			LECCE
Conte 14
Trezeguet 57
Del Piero 60 (Pen)

Conte head Pessotto's super left wing cross past Chimenti. Had Trezeguet scored
this it would have been a great goal but there's no excuse for allowing a midget a
header. Del Piero and Nedved combined to set-up Trezeguet for their second and
Del Piero finished things off from the spot after being pulled down by Balleri.

Juve have hit form at the right time. Next week they face Roma in the Olimpico.
Hold onto your testicles because that's going to be one hell of a match.

Attendance : 30,000
Assists : Pessotto, Nedved, Del Piero


PIACENZA			2-2			CHIEVO
Hubner 45 (Pen)						Marazzina 32
Di Francesco 62						Cossato 83

Corini smashed a penalty against the crossbar. Corradi flicked on a huge punt
up field, Marazzina knocked the ball off his thigh, turned and volleyed past
Guardalben. Piacenza were awarded a penalty when Moro hauled down
Di Francesco. The boss equalised from the spot with an outrageous penalty,
curling the ball inside the post. Chievo were awarded a penalty for a foul on
Corradi but Corini's weak shot was saved by Guardalben. Piacenza went in
front after a super counter attack, well the initial part was superb, Gautieri
carried the ball 80yds and passed to Poggi. His shot was brilliantly saved by
Lupatelli but Di Francesco followed-up via a deflection off a Chievo defender.
Cossato was gifted an equaliser after a sloppy attempt at playing offside
backfired.

Attendance : 8,000
Assists : Corradi, Di Francesco, Perrotta


UDINESE			0-0			PERUGIA

The first half was so bad Stream didn't even bother to show any highlights. They
needn't have bothered showing anything from the second half either.

Attendance : 14,000


VERONA				3-1			ATALANTA
Italiano 9						Doni 80
Mutu 43 (Pen)
Oddo 91 (Pen)

Seric's cross hit team-mate Salvetti in the guts and Italiano cracked a first time
shot into the bottom corner.  Mutu smashed in a penalty awarded when
everyone's favourite Liechtenstein international, Mario Frick, went down under
a 'challenge' from Sala. Frick cheated Atalanta out of another penalty late on
after Doni briefly got Atalanta back in the match.

Assists : Salvetti, Frick (x2), Sala
Red Card : Carrera 84 (Atalanta)


2 FEBRUARY 2002

INTER				0-0			TORINO

All the best chances came from headers. Lucarelli should have put Toro into the
lead from Asta's cross. Kallon likewise from Vieri's cross. Cordoba and Vieri had
half chances in the second half. 

Kallon is a gifted player but has an absolute diabolical first touch.


30 JANUARY 2002

CHIEVO				3-1			LAZIO
Marazzina 47						Lopez 7
Corini 78, 88 (Pen)

Chievo were once again punished for playing their suicidal offside trap. Fiore
released Lopez, who was actually offside, and having wasted two great earlier
chances this time he made no mistake. Marazzina scored a scrappy equaliser
after Lazio failed to clear a Corini corner. Corini put his team in front by blasting
the ball through a ruck of players from the edge of the box after his initial shot
been saved and 10 minutes later stuck away a penalty awarded for Pancaro's
a stupid foul on Corradi.

Attendance : 27,895
Assists : Fiore, Corradi (x2)


R Mehdi