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| | Spotlight: Very Inler-esting |
Monday 31 March, 2008
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| Football Italia rounds up the winners and the losers from Week 31 of the Serie A season |
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The winners…
Gokhan Inler (Udinese)
Few had heard of the Swiss midfielder when he arrived this summer, but Inler has been a revelation. He was behind much of Udinese’s win over Fiorentina, scoring the first and setting up Antonio Di Natale’s goal.
Ousmane Dabo (Lazio)
Representing the entire squad for quashing those rumours of a Lazio lie-in so as to hamper Roma’s Scudetto chances, Dabo is singled out for hitting the bar with a screamer and repeatedly harassing the tired Inter midfield.
Walter Novellino (Torino)
Never has a win been more timely. Toro had lost three on the trot without scoring a single goal, but Novellino fielded an attack-minded team in Catania and was rewarded with a result that all but secures their safety.
The losers…
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter)
Even carrying an injury his class makes the difference, right? Wrong. As long as Inter keep fielding the Swede in this condition they are prolonging his agony and that of his teammates and fans. He’s not helping his cause by attempting backheel flicks when he can barely control the ball.
Andrea Pirlo (Milan)
Effectively the entire Rossoneri squad could be in this section, but Pirlo gets the nod for seeing a stoppage-time penalty saved. That’s hardly all, as throughout the past few weeks his passing, vision and even trademark free kicks have been abysmal.
Amantino Mancini (Roma)
Roma had a great opportunity to close on Inter, but some of the blame for their 1-1 draw in Sardinia goes to Mancini for a shocking miss when clear on goal and an overall arrogant performance.
The goals…
Antonio Di Natale (Udinese)
A classic Di Natale goal, he ran half the length of the field and kept his composure to roll a precise finish past Sebastien Frey just as Fiorentina were piling on the pressure.
Marco Rossi (Genoa)
A stunning strike curled off the outside of his right boot with power and precision to slot under the bar from the edge of the box. A good way to celebrate his 100th Serie A appearance.
Hernan Crespo (Inter)
A well-worked team move finalised by one of the great goal poachers, Douglas Maicon got away down the right to find Crespo ready for the tap-in at the near post.
The numbers…
San Siro shame
This is Milan’s worst home record since the campaign of their relegation in 1981-82, when in their first 15 games at the Stadio Meazza they managed six draws and five defeats. The current side isn’t quite there yet, but have won four and lost just as many split by seven stalemates. To think that in 2005-06 they had won 18 of their 19 home matches!
Frittering Inter
The Nerazzurri maintain a four-point advantage, but have won only two of their last 10 matches in all competition. Just over a month ago, in Week 23, they were 11 points clear at the top. It could have been worse, as their record against Lazio is dismal, last term’s 2-0 victory interrupting a 10-match winless streak here.
Sardinian security
Roma have not conquered Cagliari in 12 years, since Daniel Fonseca’s brace on October 29, 1995 and in the following seven visits managed just two points. Meanwhile, the Sardinians have been on stunning form and won five of their last seven home games, drawing the other two.
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| Words: Susy Campanale |
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Past Spotlights
A unique review of each round of the 2007-08 Serie A campaign. More |
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