Spotlight: Emperor returns
Monday 15 January, 2007
Football Italia rounds up the winners and the losers from Week 19 of the Serie A season
The winners…
Adriano (Inter)
After a 2006 to forget, Adriano has started the New Year on the right foot. Goals at Empoli in the Italian Cup and now at Torino in the League have seen him re-find his smile and become a player the leaders can count on once again. Welcome back Adri.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter)
Undoubtedly one of the shrewdest signings of the summer. While boss Roberto Mancini may rotate the rest of his players, Ibra is almost always the first name on his team sheet. His performance at Torino on Saturday illustrated why – pace, power, fantasy and a fine goal.
Clarence Seedorf (Milan)
No Kaka? Have no fear, Seedorf is here. He already impressed in the hole against Arezzo on Thursday and he again proved to be an assist king against Reggina on Sunday. He touched an infinite number of balls throughout with quality and assurance. Kaka can heal with patience.
The losers…
Cristian Chivu (Roma)
The fact that Roma dropped two points on Sunday at Messina, which saw the gap between themselves and Inter increase to nine, is down to one man – Cristian Chivu. His needless challenge, perhaps idiotic, on Arturo Di Napoli – who was going nowhere – was always going to result in a penalty. Brain failure at its best.
Carmine Coppola (Livorno)
Having joined the Amaranto from Messina after Christmas, the midfielder had a debut he will not forget – for all the wrong reasons. With his side 2-1 down to Atalanta, Coppola lost his head and was needlessly booked twice. His side went on to lose 5-1 and also their Coach...
Fabio Liverani (Fiorentina)
He was just one of many Viola stars who weren’t in the mood at Marassi. Famed for his stylish and poetic cross field balls, the former Perugia and Lazio playmaker was unrecognisable in Genoa. If his side are to seriously push for fourth, he’s going to have to start pulling some strings.
The goals…
Andrea Pirlo (Milan)
It may have taken longer than expected, but Andrea Pirlo finally grabbed his first League goal of the season with a trademark free-kick. The deep lying midfielder gave Reggina goalkeeper Ivan Pelizzoli no chance as he found the top corner with a sweetly taken curler.
Rolando Bianchi (Reggina)
The previously goal shy striker grabbed his 10th of the Serie A campaign against Milan by catching out Zeljko Kalac with a long-range strike. Few were expecting the Italian to hit the ball from 25 yards, but he did and it found the bottom corner.
Cristiano Doni (Atalanta)
He’s done it again! Cristiano Doni netted another beauty by opening the scoring in the 5-1 over Livorno. After exchanging passes with Riccardo Zampagna, the former Sampdoria flop unleashed a rocket from the edge of the box which left Marco Amelia grasping at air.
The numbers…
Twelfth Night
Saturday night was one which went down in history for Inter as they collected a record 12th straight Serie A win. The 3-1 at Torino also ensured that they reached the halfway point of the season with 51 points. Only Juventus last season have collected more after 19 games when they racked up 52.
Six of the best
Alberto Gilardino just can’t stop scoring. The Milan man’s strike in the 3-1 over Reggina was his sixth in his last six games. Meanwhile, Rolando Bianchi’s consolation means he is just one goal shy of a club record 11 top-flight goals in a season – achieved by Mohammed Kallon in 1999-2000 and Nicola Amoruso last season.
Messi draw
Roma’s draw at Messina was their first away from home in the League this term after nine wins and a loss. Although happy with a point, the Sicilian side haven’t won in 10 games and have collected just four points within that period.
Words: Antonio Labbate
მიმაგრებული სურათი
· 
იტალია 2006-07 წლების სეზონი, სერი A და სერია B(:D)
