Sunday 13 februari > Serie A

Palerma 2 - 4 Fiorentina 

Pastore 7’       Gilardino 36’
Nocerino 48’   Camporese 70’
 

                      Bovo 78’ (OG)

                      Montolivo 88’ 

 

Review:

 

Fiorentina secured a rare away victory against Palermo coming from behind twice to win 4-2 in a thrilling encounter. Palermo's early kick-off bad luck continued with their fourth loss in four games at 12.30pm. Javier Pastore and Antonio Nocerino put the Rosanero in the lead twice but goals from Alberto Gilardino, a first in Serie A for Michele Camporese, an own goal and Riccardo Montolivo slapped a bow on a morale boosting for the Viola. Both sides made a slightly cautious start at the Stadio Renzo Barbera but with five minutes gone the game opened up with some flowing football it was Palermo who made the early breakthrough, despite Fiorentina creating the better openings. With seven minutes gone, the returning Josip Ilicic cut inside from the right and rolled a pass into the path of Javier Pastore and the Argentine swept the ball past Artur Boruc at his near post.

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Brescia 0 - 2 Lazio

                      González 18’

                      Kozák 58’

 

 

 

Review:

 

Lazio maintained their hopes for a Champions League place with a much needed victory against struggling Brescia. The Biancocelesti opened the scoring early on when Alvaro Gonzalez headed home from close range to net his first ever Serie A goal. Brescia looked to fight back before the break but lacked the spark in attack to test Fernando Muslera in the visitor’s goal. Libor Kozak doubled Lazio’s lead after the break when he outjumped Jonathan Zebina to head home from Cristian Ledesma’s corner. There proved to be no way back for the Rondinelle who remain in the thick of things at the bottom. The Aquile momentarily moved up to third cementing their bid to fight for a place in Europe.

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Sampdoria 3 - 1 Bologna

Palombo 8’          Paponi 65’

Gastaldello 11’

Maccarone 15’

 

 

 

Review:

 

 

To even remotely believe that Sampdoria are set to battle against relegation would be pushing it over the edge but the Blucerchiati's recent form is no better than a side struggling against the drop. Three defeats in a row combined with just one win in seven league matches have pushed Samp to 14th in the table. Heading into Week 25, Sampdoria find themselves with just 27 points from 23 matches and are just five points above the relegation zone but with a game in hand. The teams below them, especially those in the relegation zone are fighting for points, so, for now, Domenico Di Carlo's side are safe. However, for an ambitious club like Sampdoria it is important that they finish in at least mid-table and Samp will aspire to do that between now and the end of the season. The former Italian champions have an encouraging record at home, though, as they have lost just twice in the league and have conceded only six goals.

 

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Juventus 1 - 0 Inter Milan 

Matri 30’

Review:

 

The first half followed a similar pattern to that of the 0-0 draw at the Giuessepe Meazza back in October, as both sides cautiously felt their way into the match before attempting any adventurous attacking play.Juventus upset the form book to pull off a surprise 1-0 derby d'Italia victory over Inter in Turin on Sunday night Alessandro Matri was the Bianconeri hero, planting a firm header past Julio Cesar on the half hour to ensure his side would climb two places in the Serie table to sixth, while also putting a large dent in Inter's hopes of catching Milan.

Saturday 12 februari > Serie A

AC Milan 4 - 0 Parma
Seedorf 8’
Cassano 17’
Robinho 61’, 65

  

Review: 

With their main title rivals not in action until Sunday, the pressure was on Massimo Allegri’s men to extend their points gap at the top of the table, and true to their form at the Giuseppe Meazza, the hosts put on a scintillating display as they dissected visitors Parma. Veteran midfielder Clarence Seedorf got the party going as he seized on a crafty pass from in-form striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to round Mirante and give theRossoneri an eighth minute lead. Antonio Cassano then finished off a slick Milan move to double the lead nine minutes later before substitute Robinho settled the match with two clinical finishes in the second half. The 4-0 rout puts Milan six points clear of second place Napoli and eight ahead of champions Inter. Catch the highlights below. Spurs fans you have been warned. In their own lair, il Diavolo are looking formidable!

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AS Roma - Napoli

                   Cavani 49’ (pen.), 83’

Review:

Edinson Cavani bagged a brace as Napoli overcame Roma 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico this evening in Serie A. With the double suspension of Philippe Mexes and Nicolas Burdisso, Claudio Ranieri decided on fielding Marco Cassetti as a makeshift centerback. Something the Napoli tridente of Marek Hamsik, Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi certainly looked to exploit. After the break the game took a turn in Napoli's favor as Juan clipped the heels of Hamsik as he charged into the box and the referee awarded the Partenopei a penalty. Cavani then stepped up and put his team one up. Ten minutes from the end, it was ultimately over when Cavani grabbed his second, tapping in from close range following a magnificent Paolo Cannavaro cross from the left wing.As a result Napoli stay second, three points behind Milan, who also won this evening, while Roma stay in seventh, though they could fall further down the table once the full card of fixtures has been played

Sunday 6 februari > Serie A

Bologna 1 - 0 Catania
Portanova 41’

Review:

Bologna gave themselves breathing space above the Serie A relegation zone with a 1-0 win over struggling Catania. Daniele Portanova got the only goal four minutes before the break with a close-range effort.
By then, Catania had already played almost 20 minutes a man down after the 22nd-dismissal of Pablo Alvarez for two quick bookings.

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Brescia 2 - 0 Bari
Diamanti 17’ (pen.)
Caracciolo 90’

Review:

Alessandro Diamanti's penalty and a late Andrea Caracciolo strike earned Brescia a vital win over relegation rivals Bari. The hosts were the better side throughout and the win lifts them above Cesena into 18th place, just a point behind Catania and safety

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Napoli 2 - 0 Cesena
Cavani 13’
Sosa 90'

Review:

Napoli took advantage of AC Milan`s failure to beat Genoa as they closed the gap at the top of Serie A to just three points.

With Milan only taking a point back to the capital following a 1-1 draw, Walter Mazzarri`s men took full advantage as a goal in each half put second-bottom Cesena to bed.
The in-form Edinson Cavani put them in front with his 17th goal of the season, with Jose Ernesto Sosa confirming the win in injury time.

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Parma 1 - 1 Fiorentina
Amauri 15’   D'Agostino 49’ (pen.)

Review:


Fiorentina yet again came up short in their bid to register an away win as they settled for a 1-1 draw at Parma. Carvalho Amauri scored his first goal for Parma since joining the club on loan from Juventus in the 15th minute. Gaetano D'Agostino equalised early in the second half from the penalty spot after Massimo Gobbi held Fiorentina's Michele Camporese inside the area. Parma were unlucky not to claim all three points as Amauri's header struck the crossbar with five minutes to go, with Fiorentina goalkeeper Artur Boruc beaten. The return to action of Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu, who came on with 15 minutes remaining, failed to inspire the Viola to a rare away victory. The result has left the Florence outfit in 11th place, three points clear of Parma after 24 games.

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Genoa 1 - 1 AC Milan
Floro Flores 45’   Pato 29’

Review:


Genoa were able to hold on for a draw with Milan, keeping them safe from relegation for the meantime, while Napoli closed the gap at the top of the table, after taking all three points against Cesena. Pato took the lead for Milan, but Antonio Floro Flores was on hand to deliver an equaliser just before half-time. Genoa were forced into an early switch, as Mattia Destro picked up an injury and Rodrigo Palacio came on to take his place.

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Lecce 2 - 4 Palermo
Giacomazzi 17’   Miccoli 45’
Jeda 50’             Pastore 57’
                          Hernández 60’
                          Ilicic 62’

Review:

 The hosts led first through Guillermo Giacomazzi and then Jeda, but Palermo levelled when Fabrizio Miccoli struck in first half stoppage time and again through Javier Pastore's 57th-minute strike.
That was the first of three in five minutes for Palermo, who pulled away with strikes from substitutes Abel Hernandez and Josip Ilicic.
It was just a fourth away win of the season for Palermo as they put themselves firmly in the battle for a Champions League place.

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Lazio Roma 1 - 1 Chievo Verona
Hernanes 45’         Cesar 64’

Review:

Lazio and Chievo shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A this afternoon. Hernanes put the home side ahead just before half time with a magnificent free kick, but in the second half Bostjan Cesar grabbed the equaliser for the Flying Donkeys.

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Inter Milan 5 - 3 AS Roma 

Sneijder 3’                   Simplício 13’

Eto'o 35’, 63’ (pen.)    Vucinic 75’

Motta 71’                    Loria 81’

Cambiasso 90’

Review:

Samuel Eto’o scored a brace for Inter Milan as the champions surged up to third, five behind Serie A leaders AC Milan with a game in hand, after an enthralling 5-3 home win over last season’s runners-up AS Roma here on Sunday. Inter took the lead in the third minute when Wesley Sneijder, in his first start for over a month, teed himself up and fired past Julio Sergio from the edge of the area. Roma were soon back in the game when Fabio Simplicio slid in Marco Cassetti’s low cross, but Inter was back in the lead by halftime when Eto’o scored his first following a breakaway. Former Inter defender Nicolas Burdisso was sent off for conceding a penalty with a foul on Giampaolo Pazzini 17 minutes into the second period and Eto’o dispatched the spotkick as last term’s treble winners purred like never before in this campaign. Brazil-born Thiago Motta celebrated his first call-up to the Italy squad with Inter’s fourth in the 71st. Roma, who could soon have new American owners, fought back though and Mirko Vucinic deflected in Daniele De Rossi’s freekick before Simone Loria scrambled home from a corner to trail 4-3. With Roma’s defence stretched though Esteban Cambiasso grabbed Inter’s fifth in injury time.

Saturday 5 februari > Serie A

Udinese 2 - 0 Sampdoria 
Sánchez 18’
Di Natale 40’

Review:

Antonio Di Natale scored his 100th Serie A goal for Udinese as they swept Sampdoria aside 2-0. Udinese were unbeaten in 6 games and Alexis Sanchez returned from suspension to partner Antonio Di Natale up front. But they were missing Samir Handanovic through injury.
Sampdoria on the other hand were in crisis, one win in the last eight and suffered two straight defeats, while there were even calls from the Sampdoria fans for Mimmo Di Carlo to get the chop. Stefano Lucchini was back from injury but played with a protective mask after fracturing his cheekbone. Long-term injuries for Sampdoria include Franco Semioli, Nicola Pozzi, Daniele Gastaldello and Marco Padalino.

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Cagliari 1 - 3 Juventus
Acquafresca 51’   Matri 21’, 75’
                             Toni 84’

Review:

Juventus managed to over come a plucky Cagliari side 3-1 at the Stadio Sant'Elia in Serie A to ease the pressure on under-fire boss Luigi Del Neri. Alessandro Matri put the Bianconeri ahead after 20 minutes with a smart finish, but Robert Acquafresca levelled for the hosts just after half time, before Matri grabbed his second on 75 minutes then ten minutes later Luca Toni put the game beyond doubt with a magnificent header. The stage was set for Matri who led the Juve front line with Jorge Martinez playing just behind him, while Giorgio Chiellini moved to left-back as Gigi Del Neri shuffled his pack.

Thursday 3 februari > Serie A

Bari 0 - 3 Inter Milan
                 Kharja 70’
                 Pazzini 90’
                 Sneijder 90’

Review:

Inter Milan closed the gap on Serie A leaders AC Milan to seven points with a flattering victory over Bari - but should have been down to 10 men before their goals came.
Cristian Chivu was lucky to avoid a red card in the 58th minute at the San Nicola stadium when he thrust a fist maliciously into the face of Bari's Marco Rossi, inside the home side's penalty area.
Rossi went to ground but soon rose to raise his indignation with referee Andrea Romeo, however the official from Verona and his assistants had not witnessed the off-the-ball incident so Chivu escaped punishment.
The Italian league authorities will almost certainly be pressed to take some action, however, so clearly was the incident caught on camera.
Inter had delivered a mediocre performance to that stage and they hardly improved greatly, but eventually superior class told against the team at the foot of the table, and after Houssine Kharja marked his first league start for the club with the opening goal after 70 minutes, two more arrived in stoppage-time from Giampaolo Pazzini and Wesley Sneijder to give Inter a winning margin they scarcely deserved.

Wednesday 2 februari > Serie A

Fiorentina 1 - 0 Genoa
Santana 40'

Review:


Alberto Santana scored the only goal of the game as Fiorentina leap frogged Genoa in the Serie A table. Santana stabbed home from a tight angle five minutes before half-time as the hosts ended the day one point above their opponents and in 11th.

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Palermo 2 - 1 Juventus
Miccoli 7’         Marchisio 36’
Migliaccio 20’

Review:

The pressure continues to build on Juventus manager Luigi Del Neri after his side lost 2-1 to Palermo tonight.Despite dominating most of the game, the Bianconeri could not add to Claudio Marchisio's 36th-minute strike to complete a comeback after Fabrizio Miccoli and Giulio Migliaccio had scored to give Palermo an early two-goal lead.

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Parma 0 - 1 Lecce
                    Chevantón 90’

Review:

Substitute Ernesto Chevanton stole all three points for Lecce with an injury-time header at Parma.

Parma dominated the encounter but failed to turn their pressure into goals. Just when it looked as the two sides would share the spoils, the South American Chevanton scored to lift Lecce into 16th place and three points clear of the drop zone.

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Chievo Verona 2 - 0 Napoli
Moscardelli 20’
Sardo 50’

Review:

Napoli’s Scudetto dreams took a huge blow as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to Chievo Verona at the Stadio Marco’Antonio Bentegodi on Wednesday. Goals from Davide Moscardelli and Gennaro Sardo earned an efficient victory for Stefano Pioli’s side as Napoli remain five points off leaders Milan.

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Cesena 1 - 1 Catania
Jiménez 31’    López 9’

 Review:

Cesena and Catania both remain in a precarious position in Serie A after they shared a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi. Maxi Lopez opened the scoring for the visitors in the eighth minute before Luis Jimenez levelled just after the half-hour.
Emanuele Giaccherini had a good chance to win the game for Cesena when he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper but he failed to convert his shot which Mariano Andujar saved with his legs.

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Sampdoria 0 - 1 Cagliari 
                           Nainggolan 37’

Review:


Cagliari won this match thanks to a magnificient goal from the belgian Nainggolan.
Sampdoria fell to defeat at home to Cagliari amid the protests of the Blucerchiati fans against the sale of Giampaolo Pazzini and Antonio Cassano this winter. A stunning individual goal from Radja Nainggolan in the 37th minute earned the Sardinians all three points at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. The result was Samp's third defeat in a row and their president Riccardo Garrone was forced to hear the fans' anger at his sale of their biggest assets last month, with Cassano having joined AC Milan and Pazzini Inter Milan. It could have been a better night for Samp had Daniele Mannini not shot over the crossbar from just eight yards out early on.

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Udinese 1 - 1 Bologna 
Domizzi 77'     Di Vaio 65’

Review:


Last season around this time Udinese were bracing themselves for a lengthy battle with relegation, now they are flirting with the idea of playing in Europe. The Bianconeri's turnaround has been as much romantic as encouraging; for a side of their modest resources and means they are doing extremely well in rubbing shoulders with Italy's big boys.At the weekend Udinese got the better of Juventus 2-1 in Turin and it was the second successive match in which they had humbled an Italian giant. Prior to that victory they had punctuated Italian and European champions Inter's five-game winning streak by dismissing them 3-1 in Udine and have won four of their five league encounters in January, drawing the other one.The Bianconeri are unbeaten at the Stadio Friuli since September 19 and have won their last six games at home, and against a Bologna side terribly poor on the road, they will be expected to win. Udinese are currently sixth in the league standings with 36 points from 22 matches, but coach Francesco Guidolin has urged his players not to let this success dance into their heads.

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AS Roma 1 - 1 Brescia
Borriello 58’      Éder 69’

Review:

Roma were forced to settle with a draw as Brescia came from behind to secure only their 5^th point on the road. Claudio Ranieri was left frustrated with his team as they surrendered their lead, leaving them 9 points behind league leaders AC Milan, with just one game in hand.

Marco Borriello took advantage of some hesitant defending lashing in a precise shot that went in off the upright.Roma looked like doubling their lead as the game progressed but Brescia were able to stun the home fans when they equalized through Eder , whose header flew pass a stranded Julio Sergio.

Tuesday 1 february > Serie A

AC Milan 0 - 0 Lazio Rome

Review:

A shot from AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit both posts but that was the closest either side came to scoring in a 0-0 draw between the Serie A leader and third-place Lazio on Tuesday. Milan stretched its lead to five points ahead of Napoli, which visits Chievo on Wednesday. Lazio is seven points behind. Milan dominated throughout and in the 51st minute Ibrahimovic's shot from just beyond the area ricocheted first off the left post, and then the right before bouncing away as the Sweden striker looked on incredulously. Already without 12 players due to injury and suspension, Milan took a further battering in central defense. Daniele Bonera exited following a first-half collision and his substitute Nicola Legrottaglie, who transferred from Juventus on Monday, had his forehead bloodied in a collision and was carried off on a stretcher in the 85th. Both players were taken to the hospital, with Allegri saying Bonera has suspected head trauma and Legrottaglie suspected cervical trauma.
Ibrahimovic also had a chance in the 28th, but his header deflected wide off a defender. Newly-signed Dutch international Urby Emanuelson then set up Mathieu Flamini with a perfect cross but the Frenchman wasn't able to take advantage. Ibrahimovic missed another attempt wide in the 53rd and Robinho had a shot cleared off the line by defender Giuseppe Biava in the 70th. Crafty forward Antonio Cassano came on for Alexandre Pato in the 70th but didn't create much despite Lazio sitting back, apparently content with the draw.