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| | Spotlight: Simple Simone |
Monday 20 November, 2006
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| Football Italia rounds up the winners and the losers from Week 12 of the Serie A season |
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The winners…
Simone Perrotta (Roma)
In a practically perfect Roma, Simone Perrotta was the star of the show in the 7-0 mauling of Catania. The Italian international not only returned to his non-stop running ways, but chipped in with two goals – including one mazy solo effort – which will go down in Giallorossi folklore. Teammates Christian Panucci and Amantino Mancini also shone.
Vincenzo Iaquinta (Udinese)
He continues to split the critics, but the World Cup winner showed his good side on Sunday. After setting up Udinese’s first against Siena, Iaquinta chipped in with a stylish penalty and a technically proficient second. Pretty impressive for the big man.
Stefano Mauri (Lazio)
He was disastrous in Italy’s midweek friendly against Turkey, yet Mauri underlined why he was given an Azzurri chance with a sublime performance at Messina. He grabbed his second brace in two games which has aided the Biancocelesti’s mini revival.
The losers…
Giuseppe Mascara (Catania)
He saw his favourite colour for the third time this season in the capital. His early dismissal left his side a man shy against a rampant Roma who made them pay dearly. After just returning from a two-match ban for an elbow, he should have really known what to expect after it made contact with Cristian Chivu’s face at the Olimpico. Shameful.
Alberto Gilardino (Milan)
Where is the real Alberto Gilardino? Just when we thought he was returning to his scoring ways, the £17m former Parma man was virtually anonymous in the 0-0 draw at Empoli. Possibly one of his worst displays in the Rossoneri jersey.
Franco Brienza (Palermo)
Injury to David Di Michele gave the creative Franco Brienza a chance to shine, but he flopped at Cagliari. The man once capped by Marcello Lippi looked low on fuel and short of ideas in a game which his side eventually lost. Boss Francesco Guidolin would have expected more.
The goals…
Simone Loria (Atalanta)
The best goal of Week 12 was undoubtedly scored by Simone Loria. More renowned for his physicality and tackling abilities, the defender combined the unexpected and the stylish to scissor-kick a Cristiano Doni cross from outside of the area into the top corner. Mamma Mia!
Andrea Zanchetta (Chievo)
The Chievo-Atalanta game not only ended in spectacular fashion, it began in such a way. Andrea Zanchetta opened the scoring with a free-kick curler which surpassed the wall and made its new home in the top corner of the net.
Simone Perrotta (Roma)
The England-born midfielder must have had Francesco Totti’s boots on at the Olimpico. He managed to dance his way past three defenders and the goalkeeper before just stretching far enough to poke the ball into the back of the net.
The numbers…
Seventh Heaven
Roma’s 7-0 win over Catania was the first in Serie A since Juventus went goal crazy against Ascoli in the 1983-84 season. The Giallorossi have now scored 12 goals in their last three Serie A games. The loss was Catania’s biggest ever in Serie A after falling 6-0 at Inter in 1983-84.
Good Christian
Christian Panucci became the 13th player to score for Roma this season after the stopper netted only the second brace of his long and illustrious career.
Clean sheets
Livorno’s 3-0 win over Parma means they have now gone seven games [one from last season, six this term] without conceding a goal at home. The victory also allowed the Amaranto to pick up their first 3-0 home win in Serie A since the victory over Sampdoria in May 1948.
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| Words: Antonio Labbate |
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Past Spotlights
A unique review of each round of the 2006-07 Serie A campaign. More |
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