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| | Spotlight: Antonio the enigma |
Monday 3 December, 2007
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| Football Italia rounds up the winners and the losers from Week 14 of the Serie A season |
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The winners…
Antonio Cassano (Sampdoria)
We saw both sides of Fantantonio on Saturday night. His mazy runs and incisive through balls inspired the Blucerchiati to a 3-0 win over Reggina and reminded us why he is one of the peninsula's great natural talents. His crazy touchline spat with Renzo Ulivieri reminded us why he is playing for a mid-table side. All in all, an exhilarating display from Serie A's Jekyll and Hyde.
Ferreira Pinto (Atalanta)
The catalyst at the heart of Atalanta's demolition of Napoli. He may not be Serie A's most famous Brazilian, but he looked every bit a Seleção star with his two assists and a slotted finish.
Luis Jimenez (Inter)
The Chilean international is a perfect demonstration of Inter's formidable strength in depth. An injury crisis handed Jimenez his chance and he took full advantage with a goal and an all-round menacing performance to show Fiorentina they made a mistake letting him go.
The losers…
Marco Ballotta (Lazio)
Serie A's oldest player looked 83 rather than 43 when he comically fumbled a routine cross to hand Siena the lead at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Juan Pablo Carrizo can't arrive soon enough so Ballotta can be put out to pasture.
Giampiero Pinzi (Udinese)
In just his second start of the season, the highly-rated Lazio youth product let his side down when he saw red against Roma. Within 15 minutes of coming on as a substitute, a fired up Pinzi slid through the back of Juan and ended any hope of stealing a vital point.
Maurizio Zamparini (Palermo)
The trigger-happy President may have lost faith in Stefano Colantuono, but firing his Coach before a derby betrayed his trademark naivety. Will Zampa learn his lesson after a disjointed performance and a humiliating defeat at less illustrious neighbours Catania?
The goals…
Ferreira Pinto (Atalanta)
In a microcosm explaining how Atalanta tore apart Napoli 5-1, this brilliant team move saw Sergio Floccari and Cristiano Doni exchange passes at speed for Ferreira Pinto to finish through the goalkeeper’s legs.
Jorge Martinez (Catania)
The Uruguayan has been consistently impressive this season and he curled his fifth goal of the campaign with his right foot, a shot often called ‘alla Del Piero.’
Roberto Sosa (Napoli)
A spectacular strike on the volley that looped over a helpless Ferdinando Coppola and into the far top corner. Such a shame he won’t have fond memories of it…
The numbers…
San Siro sick
Never before in Serie A history have Milan gone nine consecutive home matches without a win. The previous record was eight, set way back between April 1934 and February 1935. They haven't won at the Meazza since a 3-1 triumph over Cagliari on April 21.
Empoli's bad Parma
Empoli's defeat at Parma comes as little surprise to the statisticians. The Tuscans have lost all seven of their top-flight trips to the Stadio Tardini, scoring just once and conceding 14.
Sardinian snooze
Cagliari v Livorno has a reputation as a neutral's nightmare. The last four times the sides have met at the Stadio Sant'Elia it has finished 0-0.
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| Words: Paul Watson |
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Past Spotlights
A unique review of each round of the 2007-08 Serie A campaign. More |
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