27 April 2003

INTER					1-1			LAZIO
Crespo 42							S Inzaghi 78

Following a rare period of sustained pressure, Crespo brilliantly headed in
Recoba's free kick. Toldo parried Lopez' spectacular half volley against the post
and denied the Argentinean once again from a volley. Emre cleared a shot off the
line. Inzaghi came off the bench to score a deserved equaliser from a Simeone free
kick. Castroman blew a chance to win the match late on.

Attendance : 58,430
Assists : Recoba, Simeone (fk)


BOLOGNA				1-1			CHIEVO
Signori 2								Della Morte 94

Legrottaglie bounced off Cruz as he challenged for a ball, Cruz centred to Signori
and he made space for himself before finding the bottom corner of the net. Bologna
should have been awarded a penalty for a blatant handball, the ref played the
advantage and Nervo missed from 2 yds out. Ambrosio, in for Lupatelli, made a
stunning save from Bellucci. Not for the first time in recent weeks Bologna threw
away three points in injury time. Locatelli, on for Signori, shielded a ball then attempted
to turn but slipped, Della Morte ran onto the ball and slammed it past Pagliuca.

I would like to see Cruz at a big club next season, either Serie A or the Premiership
it doesn't matter. He's ready for the next level.

Attendance : 21,800
Assist : Cruz


COMO					0-0			MODENA

The highlight of this match was Mayer's hilarious flying tackle on Amoruso.
As the challenge was in the box he should have been sent off. Amoruso took the
penalty but Ballotta made a brilliant save. Como will probably be relegated next
week which isn't a bad thing as they absolutely suck.

Attendance : 6,000


EMPOLI					1-1			UDINESE
Di Natale 86							Pinzi 56

Pinzi half volleyed Udinese into the lead. Having broke his duck last week against
Milan, Di Natale made it 2 goals in 2 games with an excellent first time strike following
good work by Rocchi.

Rocchi is the more talented of Empoli's striking duo.

Attendance : 4,450
Assists : Kroldrup, Rocchi


JUVENTUS				2-1			BRESCIA
Del Piero 9, 85							Appiah 83

Sereni completely misjudged the flight of a Del Piero free kick, handing Juve the
lead. Baggio was predictably involved in the equaliser, his pass to Appiah drew
the teams level. Two minutes Del Piero restored Juve's lead with a goal Trezeguet
would have been proud of. He waited for long ball drop over his shoulder then
ripped a volley past Sereni, his 100th Serie A goal. Baggio hit the woodwork with
a free kick and Conte missed an absolute sitter.

Attendance : 40,880
Assist : Nedved (won fk), Baggio, Tacchinardi


PIACENZA				5-1			PERUGIA
Di Francesco 5							Ze Maria 50
Campagnaro 36, 63
Hubner 41
Ferrarese 80

Di Francesco began the rout inside five minutes. Campagnaro scored a memorably
first ever Serie A goal, a sweetly struck volley from Cristante's raking cross. Hubner
scrambled in a third at the end of the first half. Ze Maria pulled a goal back with a
magnificent free kick. I don't know what the director was watching as we missed
most of Compagnaro's second goal. Ferrarese capped off a fine victory for the home
side with a brilliant left foot volley.

Attendance : 6,500
Assists : Cristante, Miccoli (won fk), Maresca, Marchionni


REGGINA				0-0			PARMA

A dire match. Mutu provided the only highlight. He cut in from the left and hit one of his
stunning long rang efforts but the ball cannoned back off the crossbar.

Attendance : 23,500


26 April 2003

ROMA					2-1			MILAN
Cassano 60							Tomasson 81
Tommasi 76

In a dull first half Shevchenko wasted the best chance when he headed wide from a
Kaladze cross. Nesta made a fantastic goal saving tackle to deny Tommasi. Shevchenko
missed an absolute sitter when Rui Costa played him in. Minutes later Roma took the
lead. Cassano rolled into an empty net after a mistake by Simic lead to panic in the
Milan defence. Tommasi sealed victory with a fantastic header. Tomasson volleyed
Milan back into the match after Della Bonna charged down a clearance but Milan
failed to trouble Roma further.

Assists : Montella, Lima, Della Bonna


ATALANTA				2-2			TORINO
Doni 76, 92 (Pen)							Donati 21, 89

Doni's spectacular volley bounced off the crossbar and Dabo gave Sorrentino fits with
one of his trademark bone breaking shots. Torino scored against the run of play when
Donati headed in off a post. Doni equalised with an outrageous back heel. Donati put
Torino back in front with an excellent shot from the edge of the box. Zauri conned
the ref into awarding a penalty and Doni converted to earn a deserved point.

Doni hit a slump this season but has finally got back to the form that won him an
Italy call-up, not that it's exactly difficult to get into the Italy squad these days.
I don't mind Donati now that :

A) He's no longer at Milan
B) He's got rid of his ridiculous haircut

Assists : Comotto, Foglio, ?, Zauri (won pen)

R Mehdi