Another exciting week in Italy as some clubs were frustrated, while other were handed an upset. Although much of the world believes that Spain and England are home to the best, most even and fair leagues in the world, Italy has much to offer as it is supported in this weeks results.
Genoa 1-1 Fiorentina
Genoa were able to open up the scoring in the 14th minute as Mbaye Niang’s determined effort past two defenders found the feet of Stefano Stauraro whose effort should have easily been hit home, but instead was lucky to hit the post and the ball bounced back into the net off of the keeper.
Fiorentina found the equalizer in the 55th minute after a great set piece from a short corner was deflected to the back post and headed in by defender Gonzalo Rodriguez.
Roma 1-1 Empoli
Rome fell victim to an early deficit as defender Kanstantinos Manolas was sent off in the 38th minute for a very sloppy tackle from behind inside the box to cause a penalty.
Empoli were able to capitalize from the penalty as Massimo Maccarone blazing penalty sent the keeper the wrong way.
Roma were a bit fortunate though as Empolis’ Riccardo Saponara was sent off in the 47th minute after a second yellow being accused of controlling the ball with his arm inside the box.
Roma were able to pull one back just ten minutes later with a curling effort into the bottom corner from the corner of the 18-yard box from defender Maicon Sisenado.
This marks Roma’s fourth straight draw in the league. They will need to make up points immediately if the are to hold their position or fight for Juventus’ place whose lead is slowly increasing.
Sassuolo 3-1 Inter Milan
Despite having both new reinforcements, Lucas Podolski and Xherdan Shaqiri, start for Roberto Mancini, they are still unable to grab the points they desperately need.
Sassuolo were able to get ahead 2-0 before the half. One goal from Simone Zaza off of a powerful shot that hit just below the cross bar. The other from a magnificent solo effort from Nicola Sansone which saw him shake-off his defender with some cross-overs and hit the opposite corner with a powerful shot.
Mauro Icardi was able to grab a consolation goal just before the full time whistle after he intercepted a bad ball played back to the keeper by Francesco Magnanelli.
Sassuolo were not yet finished yet as Issac Donkor gave up a strong tackle in the box at the 90th minute to allow Doenico Berardi to hit a calm penalty past Samir Handanovic.
Inter keep struggling in the League as they sit 13th and not looking as if they will see any European action next year.
Juventus 0-0 Udinese
Juventus stay undefeated in the League since last October, but Udinese were able to snap their five game winning streak.
Despite Udinese being 12th on the table, they were able to play a fair match, not giving up so much of the possession and taking just as many shots on and off target as the League leaders. Juventus will not be displeased with their performance or worried that they will lose their place as their lead is now 7 points ahead of Roma, but missed the chance to go 9 points head which would have given them a three-game safety net.
Torino 5-1 Sampdoria
10th place Torino absolutely dominated 5th place Sampdoria and made it even harder for them to fight for a spot in European play.
Torinos’ first goal came in the 16th minute after a corner kick was deflected to the back post and was hit in by Fabio Quagliarella.
Their second in the 29th after Matias Silvestre basically tackled Kamil Glik and Quagliarella’s strong penalty was hit home.
Their third, and Quagliarella’s third, in the 65th after he was able to control a bouncing pass and hit it off the volley into the lower opposite corner.
Their fourth in the 75th after a low cross was met by Amauri deOliveira and tapped in to the corner with pressure on him.
Sampdoria were able to gain a consolation goal as Pedro Mba Obiang was able to show some skill and back heel a low cross into the net.
Torino were not done yet though as Bruno Press showed some great confidence and skill cutting two defenders before unleashing a strike the hit the bottom corner perfectly.
It was certainly not the outcome that Sampdoria were hoping for when they debuted Samuel Eto’o.
AC Milan 3-1 Parma
A handball inside the box gave Milan an early penalty in the 17th minute. Jeremy Menez stepped up to the spot and sent the keeper the wrong way.
Parma were able to equalize just seven minutes later when set piece was deflected to the back post where Antonio Nocerino was able to meet the ball with his head into the back of the net.
Jeremy Menez got his second of the night as he hit a great shot into the bottom left corner off a low cross from Alessio Cerci.
Milan were finally able to seal the three points after a three game losing streak when Menez showed some footwork inside the box and passed the ball back towards Cristian Zaccardo who did well to hit it into the top left corner.
Cesena 2-1 Lazio
19th place Cesena took down fourth place Lazio with an own goal from Lazio.
An absolute rocket and unstoppable from about 25 yards out by Gregoire Defrel found the top right corner in the 61st minute to give Cesena the lead.
The were able to extend thier lead after a great run from Defref again. His low cross found the feet of Lazio midfielder Danilo Cataldi, but he was unable to deal with the ball and directed it into his own net instead.
Miroslav Klose gained a consolation goal three minutes before full-time with after he hit a defelected cross off the volley from the 18-yard box which found the bottom right corner. Some great technique from the experienced striker and World Cup winner.
Other Results
