It’s now Inter vs Roma fighting for the Serie A title
It’s now Inter vs Roma fighting for the Serie A title
By Mirko Corli
The unusual midweek matchday in Serie A brings some fresh news on the table.
Inter stayed in first place in the league by defeating 3-0 at home struggling side Livorno with a double from Samuel Eto'o (beautiful overhead kick for his second goal) and a third goal by brazilian full-back Maicon.
Livorno has never been an issue for the champions as Inter claimed a comfortable win with some good news too. Christian Chivu went back on the pitch after the serious injury on his head due to a clash with Chievo striker Sergio Pellissier a couple of months ago; Thiago Motta had an amazing game as the commander-in-chief of the midfield; Ricardo Quaresma did also a brilliant performance, grabbing huge claps for the San Siro crowd: not exactly something we’re used to see in Serie A.
The two main opponents for the title, Milan and Roma, had different results.
While AC Milan lost in Parma 1-0 thanks to a goal from former Manchester City striker Valeri Bojinov in the injury time, AS Roma easily defeated Bologna 2-0 after a first half in which the Giallorossi weren’t able to find a path to goal.
In four days from now we’ll be able to have a real picture of the Scudetto race: on Saturday (kick off at 5pm GMT) Inter will travel to Roma in the most important match of the whole championship. If they win, the Scudetto will probably be theirs for another time. Inter is now four points ahead of the followers. Otherwise, if Roma wins, everything is possible.
AC Milan will be playing on Sunday at home with Lazio, who are struggling to avoid relegation. Edy Reja’s boys got an important victory 2-0 at home against direct rivals Siena but are not safe yet due to Atalanta beating Cagliari 3-1 in Bergamo and Udinese drawing nil-nil at home against Chievo. The bad news for the Rossoneri is that they will play against Lazio without Nesta, Beckham (both injuried until the end of the season) and also without Ronaldinho, Pato, Pirlo and Flamini.
Other results: Antonio Cassano came back in Bari (his home town) for the first time since he left the city years ago and scored even the first goal to put Sampdoria ahead, but then Bari had a brilliant reaction and won 2-1 with Meggiorini and Barreto’s goals.
Genoa was losing 2-1 at home against Palermo (absolutely superb Javier “El Flaco” Pastore in the Rosaneri squad), but after 6 minutes of injury time (the referee apparently awarded only 4 of them) the Rossoblu got a late penalty and secured a 2-2 tie. Here’s my tip: keep an eye on Palermo’s forward Abel Hernandez. He’s a young lad, but first-class. Remember my words.
All those results mean that Palermo is now 4th in the table, just one point ahead Sampdoria and 3 above Juventus. On Thursday night there will be the Juventus vs Napoli clash that will give us something more to think about on the Champions League race.
Last result of the night: Catania won 1-0 at home against Fiorentina. Firenze’s side were the most dangerous one but Catania got the final win with the 30th goal for Catania of Giuseppe Mascara who has become the most prolific striker ever in the history of the club.
I mentioned before Palermo’s kid Abel Hernandez: in Fiorentina’s squad there’s an hidden gem you have to track in the near future. Babacar, 16 years old, scored his first goal in Serie A last sunday and will probably be the crack of the next season.
