23 October 2005
ROMA 1-1

LAZIO

Totti 40  

Rocchi 57

   

 

Totti had the only worthwhile chances of the first half and, thanks to a mistake
by Lazio's stand in goalkeeper Ballotta, brought a dull game to life. The Roma
captain burst through onto a pass from Taddei, who is playing the Cassano role,
Ballotta dived early and helped Totti's shot into his own net. Midget Rocchi
equalised with a brilliant header, leaping above Chivu to guide Cesar's cross
past Roma's reserve goalkeeper Doni.

Once again Cassano didn't make the bench. Roma are determined to get rid
of him in January. Juve have been adamant all summer they're not interested
which only leaves Milan and Inter as potential suitors. A move abroad, given
his reputation, seems unlikely. Referee Paparesta was struck by a missile thrown
by Roma supporters. Di Canio and Oddo shielded him as they walked to safety.
Time for a lengthy ban and a heavy fine.

Attendance : 61,000
Assists : Taddei, Cesar
 
 
CHIEVO 2-1

CAGLIARI

D'Anna 71  

Suazo 95

Obinna 73    
     
Chievo took a long overdue lead when D'Anna headed in Semioli's corner. Two
minutes Victor Obinna, who had been a major thorn in Cagliari's side all game,
scored his second Serie A goal and it was just as good as the first. He received
possession on the left wing about 40 yards from goal and dribbled his way past two
defenders towards the edge of the Cagliari box, as another defender flew in with a
sliding tackle he pulled the ball away from him with his right foot, knocked it forward
then blasted into the bottom corner with his left. He followed that up with six back
somersaults. Suazo scored an excellent consolation goal.

If I was Chievo's president I would give Obbina a big fat 5 year contract with a
€20 million buy out clause. I'll put up an MPEG of his goal later in the week. He was
signed from African Champions Cup champions Enyimba but doesn't appear to have
played a game for them.

Attendance : 5,000
Assists : Semioli, Franceschini, Esposito
 
 
LECCE 0-3

JUVENTUS

   

Ibrahimovic 9

   

Pecorari 81 (og)

   

Zalayeta 93

     
Ibrahimovic scored his first league goal of the season from Mutu's pass. It was
a good finish but the fact that it taken him 8 games to get off the mark shows
why comparisons with van Basten are way off the mark, as did an embarrassing
miss later in the half. Sicignano was having a blinder in the Lecce goal before
Abbiati left the field with an injury after a collision with Konan. Sicignano was
finally beaten when Mutu's shot took a wicked deflection off Pecorari. Chimenti
made two excellent saves before substitute Zalayeta also scored his first of the
season.

Attendance : 25,000
Assists : Mutu, n/a, Camoranesi
 
 
LIVORNO 1-0

REGGINA

Lucarelli 88    
     
Attendance : 12,000
Red Cards : Morrone 29 (Livorno), Mesto 77 (Reggina)
Assist : Lazetic
 
 
MILAN 2-1

PALERMO

Gattuso 30  

Caracciolo 28

Inzaghi 77    
     
Both teams had created several chances before Palermo took the lead. Makinwa
headed on Grosso's cross and Caracciolo tapped in unmarked at the back post. Kaka'
headed on a ball after Palermo half cleared a corner and Gattuso hit a stunning
looping volley on the turn over Santoni. Milan upped the temp in the second half and
Inzaghi met a teasing Jankulovski cross with a spectacular diving header, ending a
19 month injury enforced goal drought.

Attendance : 60,000
Assists : Makinwa, Kaka', Jankulovski
 
 
SAMPDORIA 3-3

SIENA

Flachi 38 (Pen), 54  

Locatelli 48

Volpi 95 (Pen)  

Chiesa 70 (Pen)

   

Vergassola 83

     
Girardi gave Samp a goal start by dreaming up a penalty. Locatelli got Siena on level
terms when he fired a shot inside the right hand post after Chiesa's shot came back off
the opposite post. Flachi inadvertently restored Samp's lead when Volpi's free kick
struck his heels and flew past Mirante in the Siena goal. Now the goal has 'officially'
been credited to Flachi despite the fact that he clearly wasn't attempting to shoot
which only shows the inconsistency in ruling what is and isn't a deflection and what
is and isn't an own goal. Girardi redressed the balance by giving Siena a charity
penalty. Drug shamed Bachini made his return from a years ban and slipped a ball
through for Vergassola to slam past his former team-mate Antonioli. Girardi and
Polombo cheated Siena out of three points with a last minute penalty. On reflection
a draw was a fair result.

Attendance : 21,000
Red Card : Flachi 81 (Sampdoria)
Assists : Bonazzoli (won pen), n/a, Volpi (fk), Bogdani (won pen), Bachini,
Polombo (won pen)
 
 
TREVISO 1-2

EMPOLI

Fava 78  

Almiron 24

   

Tavano 80

     
Tavano, whose been scoring for fun in recent weeks, orchestrated another victory
as Empoli continue their remarkable climb up the table. Almiron headed in
his cross to give the visitors a first half lead. Berti made three stunning second
half saves before Fava beat him with a close range scissor kick. Tavano robbed
Treviso of a point, which was the least they deserved, with a counter attack goal.
Fllippini gave away the ball with a sloppy pass, Bonetto passed to Tavano who ran
at Vialli towards the centre of the box, turned on the pace, and as another defender
ran in to close him down hit a stunning shot which dipped inside the bottom corner.

Tavano reminds me of Chiesa. He's got pace and his finishing is crisp.

Attendance : 4,900
Assists : Tavano, A Filippini, Bonetto
 
 
UDINESE 0-1

INTER

   

Cruz 36

     
Attendance : 17,000
Assist : n/a
 
 
22 October 2005
 
MESSINA 1-1

ASCOLI

Zampagna 28 (Pen)  

Comotto 95

     
A spectacular dive won Messina a penalty allowing Zampagna, last season's top
scorer, to finally get off the mark. Comotto headed in a last second equaliser from
Grosso's free kick. Zampagna should have been sent off for 'head butting' the ref.
It wasn't a full blown headbutt, more of an aggressive push but Di Canio got a
9 match ban for less.

Attendance : 15,000
Rd Card : Domizzi 87 (Ascoli)
Assists : Iliev, Grosso (fk)
 
 
FIORENTINA 4-1

PARMA

Toni 2, 24, 60  

Grella 65

Fiore 36    
     
Toni headed in a cross from Jorgensen, who has been in excellent form in recent
weeks. Donkey Couto (so this is where he ended up) under hit a backpass and Toni
rounded Bucci before tapping into an empty net. Fiore swapped passes with Brocchi
before letting rip with his weaker left foot from 30 yards and the ball flew wide of
Bucci. Toni completed  his hat-trick when he pulled down a high ball and lobbed into
the top corner. Grella scored his first Parma goal with the aid of a deflection on the
line.

Attendance : 29,634
Assists : Jorgensen, n/a, Brocchi, Fiore, n/a
 
 
R Mehdi