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Roman Rule: Winter Heat
Things are heating up in Serie A only a week away from the winter break.
Dec 15, 2009 2:08:47 AM
Things are getting feisty. And not just on the pitch.
On a weekend when only one team in the top half of the table (Parma) won, events off the pitch got ugly as well. Newspapers in Italy buzzed with the news of two physical altercations following games.
AC Milan lost its first Serie A match in 11 against Palermo Sunday. Shortly after, Milan president and Italy prime minister Silvio Berlusconi held a political rally for his conservative base and Massimo Tartaglia, a 42-year-old now in police custody, smashed a statuette from point-blank range into Berlusconi's face. The prime minister stayed overnight in a hospital for his fractured nose and bloodied lip.
It is unclear what prompted the attack. One of the most corrupt politicians in Europe, politics seem just as likely a motive as soccer, given Milan's poor last few years, the recent loss, and the hatred of city rivals Internazionale.
The other attack this week involved Inter head coach Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese tactician tends to get surly when suspended, as he was last week after sarcastically applauding a referee decision. Banished to the stands for his side's disappointing 1-1 draw with Atalanta, Mourinho made sure people knew about his sour mood, as he usually does, by taking it out on the press. First, he canceled a pre-match press conference. Then, after the game, he physically shoved Andrea Ramazzotti when the journalist stood in a spot usually reserved for the Inter Channel. The Special One proceeded to insult Ramazzotti before entering the team bus.
This all comes a week after Genoa president Enrico Preziosi wrapped his fingers around the throat of Parma defender Christian Panucci. The former Roma defender had to be dragged away, shouting back at the toy magnate, "I'm going to split your head with one of your toys. I'm going to make your head swell up like a football." Some translations include a few choice swear words.
One of the few calm heads, Cesare Prandelli, thinks people take themselves a bit too seriously in the league.
"It's difficult to respond," the Fiorentina coach told Radio Anchio Lo Sport when asked about Mourinho's outburst in particular. "We take things too seriously and if we do that then things get out of hand.
"In terms of the tension, this Italian league brings it about. There is too much tension because people cannot control their emotions."
Prandelli went on to talk about how parity in the league contributes, noting that in his mind 10 teams are fighting for a Champions League slot.
One matchday away from the winter break, the heat is cranked up in Serie A.
Julius Cesar
Consul Of The Week
Former Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi suggested that the Rossoneri lost to Palermo because of an over reliance on individual ability. While that is certainly true, a certain Fabrizio Miccoli did his fair share.
Just minutes into the second half, Palermo's captain, built short and stocky, used his low center of gravity to jut inward from the left side of the box, easily opening some space around Gianluca Zambrotta to smash the ball inside the far post. His trap on the left touchline and quick spin to avoid his marker several minutes later was even more impressive. The chance he created from that gorgeous move eventually fell to Mark Bresciano, who doubled the lead.
Cleopatra
Beautiful Moment Of The Week
Perhaps because of a lack of desire to remain with the club or maybe as a result of all the coaching changes, Ezequiel Lavezzi hasn't hit the same blazing form of last season. A full seven games went by without him finding the back of the night. But in Napoli's thrilling 3-3 draw with Cagliari, he changed that, scoring his third of the campaign.
Neither team found much traction in the game until Lavezzi took events into his own hands, blasting an unstoppable shot from distance to open the scoring. Eventually the teams clicked, combining for five goals in the second half. Late in the game, Lavezzi inadvertently helped his team by blasting a ball at Cagliari coach Massimiliano Allegri after Allegri had kicked another ball away to waste time.
The subsequent red for Lavezzi and delay of time gave Napoli the extra six minutes of added time it needed to equalize with the last kick of the game. The ejection wasn't nearly as pretty as the game opener, of course.
Cicero
Quote Of The Week
"[Ciro] Ferrara? I would have changed coach already," Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini told GR Parlamento.
"Juventus' style is not like mine. I am more fiery. Coaching Juventus means big responsibilities. They have been made to pay by choosing a young coach who lacks experiences."
Zamparini went on to call both coach and team "poor." Those familiar with Zamparini's coach firing record will not be surprised by these comments one bit.
Brutus
Backstabber / Club Hindrance Of The Week
It's all a little unfair (as pointed out by Goal.com's Carlo Garganese). Felipe Melo won the Bidone d'Oro, "awarded" to the worst player of the year. Ciro Ferrara's job is on the line. But the blame for the Bari loss fell squarely to Diego. Since his two goal haul against Roma early in the season, the Brazilian playmaker has added only one tally and isn't living up to his price tag. Against Bari, with his team a goal down, substitute Fabio Grosso won a penalty with almost the fullback's first touch of the game. Instead of leveling at two goals apiece, Diego skied his shot embarrassingly high. So, sure, a lot of the blame throughout the season is unfair, but his performances don't help matters.
Results
Atalanta 1-1 Inter, Bari 3-1 Juventus, Cagliari 3-3 Napoli, Catania 0-1 Livorno, Chievo 2-1 Fiorentina, Lazio 1-0 Genoa, AC Milan 0-2 Palermo, Parma 2-1 Bologna, Sampdoria 0-0 Roma, Siena 2-1 Udinese.
Zac Lee Rigg is an associate editor of Goal.com
Keep up to date with Serie A and Italy news with Goal.com's Italy page
On a weekend when only one team in the top half of the table (Parma) won, events off the pitch got ugly as well. Newspapers in Italy buzzed with the news of two physical altercations following games.
AC Milan lost its first Serie A match in 11 against Palermo Sunday. Shortly after, Milan president and Italy prime minister Silvio Berlusconi held a political rally for his conservative base and Massimo Tartaglia, a 42-year-old now in police custody, smashed a statuette from point-blank range into Berlusconi's face. The prime minister stayed overnight in a hospital for his fractured nose and bloodied lip.
It is unclear what prompted the attack. One of the most corrupt politicians in Europe, politics seem just as likely a motive as soccer, given Milan's poor last few years, the recent loss, and the hatred of city rivals Internazionale.
The other attack this week involved Inter head coach Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese tactician tends to get surly when suspended, as he was last week after sarcastically applauding a referee decision. Banished to the stands for his side's disappointing 1-1 draw with Atalanta, Mourinho made sure people knew about his sour mood, as he usually does, by taking it out on the press. First, he canceled a pre-match press conference. Then, after the game, he physically shoved Andrea Ramazzotti when the journalist stood in a spot usually reserved for the Inter Channel. The Special One proceeded to insult Ramazzotti before entering the team bus.
This all comes a week after Genoa president Enrico Preziosi wrapped his fingers around the throat of Parma defender Christian Panucci. The former Roma defender had to be dragged away, shouting back at the toy magnate, "I'm going to split your head with one of your toys. I'm going to make your head swell up like a football." Some translations include a few choice swear words.
One of the few calm heads, Cesare Prandelli, thinks people take themselves a bit too seriously in the league.
"It's difficult to respond," the Fiorentina coach told Radio Anchio Lo Sport when asked about Mourinho's outburst in particular. "We take things too seriously and if we do that then things get out of hand.
"In terms of the tension, this Italian league brings it about. There is too much tension because people cannot control their emotions."
Prandelli went on to talk about how parity in the league contributes, noting that in his mind 10 teams are fighting for a Champions League slot.
One matchday away from the winter break, the heat is cranked up in Serie A.
Julius Cesar
Consul Of The Week
Former Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi suggested that the Rossoneri lost to Palermo because of an over reliance on individual ability. While that is certainly true, a certain Fabrizio Miccoli did his fair share.
 |
Cleopatra
Beautiful Moment Of The Week
 |
Neither team found much traction in the game until Lavezzi took events into his own hands, blasting an unstoppable shot from distance to open the scoring. Eventually the teams clicked, combining for five goals in the second half. Late in the game, Lavezzi inadvertently helped his team by blasting a ball at Cagliari coach Massimiliano Allegri after Allegri had kicked another ball away to waste time.
The subsequent red for Lavezzi and delay of time gave Napoli the extra six minutes of added time it needed to equalize with the last kick of the game. The ejection wasn't nearly as pretty as the game opener, of course.
Cicero
Quote Of The Week
"[Ciro] Ferrara? I would have changed coach already," Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini told GR Parlamento.
"Juventus' style is not like mine. I am more fiery. Coaching Juventus means big responsibilities. They have been made to pay by choosing a young coach who lacks experiences."
Zamparini went on to call both coach and team "poor." Those familiar with Zamparini's coach firing record will not be surprised by these comments one bit.
 |
Backstabber / Club Hindrance Of The Week
It's all a little unfair (as pointed out by Goal.com's Carlo Garganese). Felipe Melo won the Bidone d'Oro, "awarded" to the worst player of the year. Ciro Ferrara's job is on the line. But the blame for the Bari loss fell squarely to Diego. Since his two goal haul against Roma early in the season, the Brazilian playmaker has added only one tally and isn't living up to his price tag. Against Bari, with his team a goal down, substitute Fabio Grosso won a penalty with almost the fullback's first touch of the game. Instead of leveling at two goals apiece, Diego skied his shot embarrassingly high. So, sure, a lot of the blame throughout the season is unfair, but his performances don't help matters.
Results
Atalanta 1-1 Inter, Bari 3-1 Juventus, Cagliari 3-3 Napoli, Catania 0-1 Livorno, Chievo 2-1 Fiorentina, Lazio 1-0 Genoa, AC Milan 0-2 Palermo, Parma 2-1 Bologna, Sampdoria 0-0 Roma, Siena 2-1 Udinese.
Zac Lee Rigg is an associate editor of Goal.com
Keep up to date with Serie A and Italy news with Goal.com's Italy page
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