7 March 2004

ROMA				4-1			INTER
Cassano 45						Vieri 73
Mancini 62, 93
Totti 89 (Pen)

Roma lit up Inter like a Christmas tree and despite the fact that the Giallorossi scored two
late goals the result was every bit as comprehensive as the scoreline suggests. Roma had
three first half goals dissalowed, the last of which for Samuel's supposed push on Toldo
was ridiculous. Shortly after that incident Cassano ran onto a Totti through pass and
despite being under pressure from two defenders, lobbed wide Toldo. Magnificent finish.
With his back to play Cassano hit an exquite lobbed pass to Mancini, he ran down the
right flank before cutting inside the box and drilling the ball past Toldo. Roma appeared to
be cruising before Vieri suddenly got Inter back in the match when he fired in from close
range after Martin's shot had deflected off Samuel. Cassano made the most of a sloppy
challenge to win a penalty which was converted by Totti who is now just two goals behind
Shevchenko on the top scorers list. The human highlight reel that is Cassano wasn't
finished. Totti hit a massive 60 yard pass upto to him, as the ball dropped he attempted
a Cryuff turn, he got a luck bounce off Helveg before racing into the box and setting up
Mancini for a for his 8th goal of the season.

Cassano (apparently Henry's favourite player) has the best first touch of any player I have
EVER seen. Week after week he keeps pulling down the ball as if he has super glue on his
feet. I used to take the piss out him for his self professed prophey (he claimed he would win
the European Footballer of the Year award within two years) but he maybe right, I don't
think there is a better player in the World right now. Roma better find a buyer soon, it
would be criminal if they lost players like Cassano and Totti to Chelsea or anyone else for
that matter. Despite playing the best football in Europe, Roma still find themselves five
points behind Milan which says a lot for the incredible pace they have set.

Assists : Totti, Cassano, Cassano (won pen), Cassano
Red Card : Cordoba 89 (Inter)


ANCONA				1-1			REGGINA
Ganz 10							Di Michele 41

Ganz gave free scoring Ancona a dream start when he converted after Belarfi parried Rapajic's
cross. Milanese's slip let in Di Michele for the equaliser. Ganz earned a second yellow for diving,
I wish this ref got Juve every week. In a DISGRACEFUL incident missed by the ref Comotto
did a double foot stomp on Sogliano after the defender fell when trying to shpeard a ball out
of play. A six match ban wouldn't be enough IMO.

Attendance : 10,000
Red Card : Ganz 50 (Ancona)
Assist : Cozza


CHIEVO				0-0			EMPOLI

Lucchini was sent off for going through Semioli. The pitch was an absolute mess and it was
pissing down. Unplayable.

Attendance : 9,080
Red Card : Lucchini 45 (Empoli)


LECCE				0-0			SIENA

Both teams play great football despite the fact that they are in the bottom half of the
table. Chevanton's overhead kick, brilliantly saved by Chimenti, was the highlight.

Attendance : 12,523


MILAN				3-1			SAMPDORIA
Pirlo 17							Doni 27
Inzaghi 35
Kaka 49

The awful finishing of Shevchenko, who came on for Inzaghi in the second half, sparred
Sampdoria a thorough beating. Milan, who are usually very strong in the second half,
hit the field running. After several near misses Pirlo beat Antonioli with a magnificent shot
from 25 yards which flew in off the post. Inzaghi had two penalty appeals turned down,
one which was legit. Of course he doesn't wear a black and white shirt so they weren't
given. A mistake by Gattuso gave the away side an unlikely equaliser but Inzaghi headed
Milan back in front from Pancaro's superb cross. The Samp defence failed to pick up Kaka
as he ran onto Pirlo's through pass and gently stroked the ball into the net. 

Next up away to Juventus. Juve HAVE to win to stay in the title picture. A loss for Milan
wouldn't really hurt their title chances given, on paper at least, they have a very easy
set of fixures until they meet Roma in the San Siro in early May.

Attendance : 55,000
Assists : Pancaro (x2), Pirlo


UDINESE			1-1			PERUGIA
Iaquinta 46						Di Loreto 56

A 'keeper as tall as Kalac really shouldn't struggle to catch crosses but he did and was way off
his line leaving Iaquinta with a simple finish. Di Loreto deflected Ze Maria's free kick past
De Sanctis.

Attendance : 15,000
Assist : Ze Maria (fk)


6 March 2004

MODENA				2-2			PARMA
Pivotto 42						Gilardino 45 (Pen)
Domizzi 60						Ferrari 87

This match set the trend for the weekend as it was played on a rain sodden pitch. This local
derby came to life late in the second half. Pivotto volleyed Modena in front only for Gilardino
to equalise from the spot. Domizzi put Modena back in front following a mistake by the usually
solid Ferrari but the defend made ammends when he headed in a late equaliser.

Attendance : 14,000
Assists : Domizzi (fk), Gilardino (won pen), Zicu


BRESCIA				2-3			JUVENTUS
Mauri 3							Miccoli 53 (Pen)
Caracciolo 38						Di Vaio 55
							Nedved 75

Buffon collided with Caracciolo when trying to catch a cross leaving Mauri with an empty net.
Another defensive mistake, this time by Thuram, gave Brescia a two goal lead. In the second
half the ref decided to give the points to Juventus. First European Diving Bastard of the Year,
Nedved, was awarded a bullshit penalty and even the ref's (Bertini) pathetic attempts to
redeem himself by making Miccoli retake the spot kick three times didn't help. Two minutes
later Di Vaio was clearly offside when he equalised after Miccoli turned on Thuram's cross.
Castelazzi punched out a corner, Nedved controlled the ball on his knee before blasting the
ball into the top corner.

Officiating like this have helped Juve cheat their way to numerous championships over the
years but fortunately these favours are now rare.

Attendance : 20,000
Assists : Baggio, Nedved (won pen), Miccoli

R Mehdi