Archive for February 21st, 2009

Roma 1-0 Siena: Taddei Stronger Than Bad Karma (Serie A Matchday 25)

Saturday, February 21st, 2009

AS Roma Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo Taddei (middle) celebrates after scoring during a Serie A soccer match between As Roma and Siena, in Rome's Olympic stadium, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009.

“Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night…” as they say for the Postal Service, a creed which can be applied to soccer as well. Meaning that no matter how many hardships you face the show must go on. Heart & soul in the face of adversity: those are the distinguishing factors of a great team.

Roma understood that Saturday, battling against the odds (injuries, suspensions, and other perversions of karma) to steal the three points away from Siena. Delivery came from a great goal by Taddei (ex-Siena player in his own right), and it is a goal which gives the team its much needed morale lifter after the 0-3 debacle vs. Atalanta. Looks like a big weight has just been lifted from Tuesday’s flight to the Emirates.

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Bologna 1-2 Inter Milan: Thinking about Manchester, a Super Mario & Super Julio Job (Serie A Matchday 25)

Saturday, February 21st, 2009

Inter Milan's Mario Balotelli celebrates after scoring against Bologna during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, February 21, 2009. (REUTERS)

No, that’s not the title of the latest Nintendo Wii game; it’s who Inter have to thank for their three points against Bologna Saturday.

Two protagonists: an expected one (it would be useless to point out that right this moment, Julio Cesar is the best goalkeeper on Earth) and a very unlikely one. And I say unlikely because given all the drama taking place in these last few months, it looked as if Mourinho was ready to keep him on mothballs until kingdom come. Instead, Mario Balotelli came, saw, and conquered, albeit with (a little) luck and a (minor) contribution by Antonioli (and by little and minor I mean big and major). Which should surely prompt the Serie A press now to hail José with yet another “miracle renewal”, just like the Portuguese manager did with Adriano. Pff… how predictable.

Regardless, these were another vital three points for the Nerazzurri (their lead is +12 with Juve playing later at 20:30 CET) who can now give their impending encounter with Manchester United their full attention. With a serene mind. At least until the Red Devils come through the door.

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Serie A vs. Premier League: Gazzetta Presents the UEFA Champions League Showdown

Saturday, February 21st, 2009

Premiership vs. Serie A: Let the fight begin!!

Are English clubs still the football Masters of Europe or has something changed compared to last season, which as history has shown was unequivocally and irrevocably dominated by Premier League teams?

Attempting to provide the first part of the answer next week will be three clubs of Serie A. While Scudetto holders and current league leaders Inter Milan prepare to face off against European Champions Manchester United, Ranieri’s Juventus will attempt to surprise Hiddink’s Chelsea and the young guns of Arsenal will face off against the imperial armada of AS Roma. Three very appetizing, but also very difficult encounters for Italian Football’s remaining UCL representatives, and three matches which should tell us once and for all whether the technical gap between EPL and Serie A has finally been filled.

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